Verizon has started to silently release an OTA (over the air for you noobs) update that fixes some important issues on the Droid.
The free ”patch” will start arriving on all Droid phone over the next few days and will update the phone’s OS version to 2.0.1. Verizon has targeted a number of bugs across the OS, but mainly promises better stability and battery life.
Here is a breakdown from Verizon that says what the update addresses:
- OS stability is improved.
- Battery life is improved.
- Camera auto focus functionality is improved, and time between
shots is reduced. - Enhancements for three-way calling.
- Audio for incoming calls is improved.
- When receiving a call on call waiting, the speakerphone now
remains on. - Bluetooth functionality is improved; background echo is eliminated.
- Improved Bluetooth phone book transfer of contacts to in-vehicle
Bluetooth solutions. - After closing a GPS application, the GPS icon will now automatically
be removed from the notification panel. - Users can now receive SMS and MMS messages after an EMS
message is received. - SMS and MMS may now be sent to seven-digit addresses.
- Google contact merging has been updated to accommodate
seven-digit numbers. - Visual Voice Mail notices now arrive instantaneously.
- The corporate calendar widget user interface is updated.
You can find instructions from Verizon Wireless on how to install the update when it’s actually rolled out to your phone.
If you are risky and impatient like I am, you can manually install the update by following the instructions here. Keep in mind, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK (we will not be held responsible if you brick your phone). I was able to update both our phones easily with no problems.
One of the first things I noticed with the update is the locked screen format has changed. The time display has been made bigger, which I like. Also, the camera is much quicker, taking pictures almost instantly instead of the eternal wait it was before. I have also noticed my battery life has improved and so has my signal. I was usually at 3-4 bars throughout the day, and now I can get a good 5 bars in most places.
One big question still remains with this update: why hasn’t the handsfree dialing with a bluetooth headset been fixed yet???
